a little sample

My sister Mikella is not going to be here for the fourth of July and she felt so bad about it she made us take pictures as if it was the fourth. haha.

The parents.

L to R: Mikella, Ian, Isabelle, Jake, Kody, Katarina

Jake, Camille, Ryan on the first family boating trip of summer.

Corndog- so sad he is leaving on a mission soon.

Trevor is so scared of the water.  However, after much prodding Ryan was able to get him half way in.  And then we had a melt down.

On Friday we had a suprise birthday party for Mel Green.  He just turned 80 and still works out every day.  We are so grateful to have him here and learn from all of the knowledge he posseses. 

I love this picture of Blake and Megan.

I hope everyone is having a great summer so far.  I decided i have a love/hate relationship with summer.  I wait all year for summer and warm weather and then we pack the summer so full with activities it is over in the blink of an eye.

Cali VACA 2010

This post is the rest of our trip to Monterey/Carmel California

On Saturday we drove the 17 mile drive and found some of the most gorgeous beaches i have ever seen.

At one point I decided to hike around this rocky beach by myself.  i was enjoying the scenery and perfect temperature until i heard a little scuffle in the sand.  I freaked and screamed for Jake- only i had wandered too far away for him to hear me.  I thought maybe there was a snake and i was about to get bit but then this little creature scurried off.  Thank heavens it was nothing that was planning on harming me.

Lone Cypress that has withstood many years by itself on that rock.

Of course we had to stop at Pebble Beach and see where the U.S. Open was going to take place.

And.....Of course we had to walk away with some expensive blanket Jake was able to justify because he got the lady to give him a discount.

We enjoyed Pina Colada's at a Mexican restaurant while we watched some of the NBA Finals.

On Sunday we drove the famous Big Sur Coastline and it did not disappoint.  I loved the scenery, but hated pulling over to the side to take pictures because i thought we were going to go over the edge.

On Monday we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I loved it!  I especially loved the flamingo's, sharks, sea turtles and jelly fish.

I loved feeling the sea fish.  I also felt a sea cucumber and it was soft and squishy.

Jake touched this stingray.

We then drove around on a Surrey.  The surrey was so much fun.  Jake pretty much peddled for both of us and i would ring the bell and tell people to get out of the way.

On our last day we went whale watching.  We forgot to take pictures but we saw a whole group of whales.  One whale blew their snot all over us and it smelled like but hole. haha.

Well that pretty much sums up our trip.  We had a great time and it was nice to just be together and relax.

June 2010 Cali Vaca

Days ONE and TWO

The first night Jake and I arrived in San Francisco we headed down to Fisherman's Wharf.  We have both been to San Fran before but never together.  I was dying to see the Seals because i think they are freaking hilarious and Jake was dying to eat some fresh clam chowder. Once we were both satisfied we walked around some more and got plenty of treats.  (We do not watch what we eat on Vacation)

The next morning we woke up early and did the Alcatraz Cruise and tour.  I have to say that this was my favorite tour i have ever done.  I LOVED IT.  They give you head phones and as you walk through the prison you hear stories about the prisoners as told by the actual wardens.  It was neat to hear the stories and by in the exact same location as they took place. 

This is a picture of the showers at Alcatraz.

Jake pretending like he is taking a dooger in prison.

View from the top of Alcatraz.

The sun was in our eyes, hence the major squinting.

The grounds at Alcatraz.  An interesting little tid bit about Alcatraz is that all of the wardens and their families lived on the island and they never locked the doors to their house. 

This is a view of Alcatraz from our ship.

After Alcatraz we went and drove down the windy road and then headed over the bridge to Sausolito.

Eating an ice cream cone in Sausolito.

Panorama of a beach we found.

After we did some shopping Sausolito we drove to Muir Woods.  We weren't sure what to expect and we were pleasantly surprised.  Jake said this was his favorite part of our whole trip.  The woods are full of redwoods and it is right about the ocean.  I don't think i have breathed such clean, wonderful air.  We went on a two mile hike and left wishing we had a place like this in our own backyard.

That night, Jake surprised and made reservations at the Cliff House.  The food was wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed watching the sunset while we ate.

After dinner we made the two hour drive to Monterey where we spent the rest of our trip.